Variable-pitch pbopelleb fob airplanes



. Re. 15,638 C. L. PARKER VARIABLE FITCH PROPELLER. FOR AIRPLANES Original Filed OG t. 19. 1920 7 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR) June 26, 1923. Re.` 15,638

c. l.. PARKER f i VARIABLE FITCH PROPELLER FOR IIFLANES ongmal Filed oct. 19. 1920 'r sheets-sheet 2 wrrN :sang 4 INVENTOR) AfronNxY Jue v26, 1923. C. L. PARKER VARIABLE FITCH PROPELLER Fon AIRPLANES orgmgl Filed oct'. 19, 1920 INVENTOR) ATTORNEY WITNEIZ( if C? gdm.

'Jlune 26, 1923. Y l.. PARKER VARIABLE FITCH yPROPELILER FOR AIRPLANES origina; Filed oct. 19. 1920 7 `Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN-ron;

ATTORNEY C', L. Parker,

June 26, 1923.

c. L PARKER VARIABLE FITCH PROPELLER FOR AIRLANES onginal Fuedvoctjls. 1920 'r sheetsneet 5 C Z-P mimi;

lNvEN-roR,

WITNES;IEIS I '09.-' C? P5 v Y B ATTORNEY June 26, 1923.

C. L. PARKER VARIABLE FITCH PROPELLBR FOR AIR-PLANES '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Oct. '19. 1920 WrrNEssEfs June 26, 1923.

c. PARKER VARIABLE FITCH PRQPELLER Fon AIRPLANES Original Filed Oct. 19. 1920 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 zgmZ'.

INVENToR,

ATTORNEY A GL. Parker,

Reissued June 26,1923.

Re.1f5,'638 y cLAnENcE LYEAN rAExEE, oEros ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

vABLABLE-PITCH PBQPELLER FOR A'IRPLA'NFS.

origini 1o. 1,386,274,

T o all whomit may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. PARKER, a' citizen ofthe United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Variable-Pitch, Propeller for Airplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference -to variable pitch propellers for airplanes, and its object is to provide a propeller construction permitting `adjustment of the pitch of the blade, whereby a more rapid get away is obtainable than with fixed-pitch blades, the life of the propeller, and of the I naohine as a whole, is materially amount of travel on the ground before the machine arises therefrom Vis reduced. The variable pitch propeller also provides for higher and faster climbing and for more rapid traveling forwardly in the air, as well as reduced up-keep. v

Thel propeller blades may also be quickly thrown into the reverse and utilized as an air brake to stop the machine within a very much smaller radius than would be possible in the old type propeller.-

In all aircraft construction, there is a. demand for durabilitly and strength with extreme lightness. have vstrictly adhered to these requisites, and it is a further object-of my invention lto provide means for holding securely the butt or base of the propeller blade within its mounting on the propeller shaft, rovision being` also made for taking care o the end thrusts and lateral stresses.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part ma August 2, 1921, seria i Eo. 417,915, mea october' 19, 1920. AApplication for v shown,

prolonged, and the of this specification, with the understanding,

however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of 't e drawings but may be` changed and modified so long as such changes and modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention, as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the f' rward end of the fuselage` showing the propeller blad;

reissue led August 15, 1922. Serial No. 582,035.

Figure 2 is a'longitudinal section, partly in elevation, showing controlling means for varying the pitch of the propeller blades;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the hub portion of the propeller and also showing a section of the radiator at the forward end of the hood;

Figure 4 is a diametric section of the hub portion of the propeller and of the inner end of one blade, with 'the companion blade in most part, in elevation, and also showing a portion of the means for varylng thepitch of the blades;

Figure 5 is a section on the Figure 4;.

Figure 6 is an elevation of the socket portion of the propeller with parts in cross section;

Figure 7 is a section of the hub portlon of the propeller with the propeller blades in elevation;

the line 5-5 of Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 Figure 9 is a4 section longitudinally means for the propeller blade `at the lother endof its travel;

Figure 11 is an end and side view of the bracket structure shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

Figure 12 is a plan view of a link structure shown in Figs. 9 and 10;

Figure 13 'is an elevation of a `sprocket wheel with the hub portion thereof and controlling brackets shown in cross section;

Figure 14 is an elevation, partly in section, of a roller thrust cage employed in the.

construction;

Figure 15 is a longitudinal` section of a ta er ferrule for the butt-end of a blade;

igure 16 .is a section on the line 16-16 of Figure 4;'

Figure 17 is of Figure 4; Figure 18 is a diametrie section ofthe a section `on the line 17---17 the soc e roller thrust and stress sleeve ure 17;

Figure 19 is a detailed roller bearing in Fig. 18;

`Figure 20 1s a sectional view of a thrust ring.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in Fig. 1, and there also appears, in some part, in Figs. 3 and 4, an airplane fuselage 1, or body 1, carrying at the forward end an engine cover 2 and a radiator 3, all of which may be of customary construction and, hence, require no special description. N o attempt is made to show theairplane engine, but in certain of the figures there is shown an engine drive shaft 4.

The shaft 4 is extended forwardly through the body portion is there lprovided with a portion 5, which may be of even diameter and terminates in a taper extremity 6, having a, key-seat 7 for the reception of"a spline 8 partially seated in the forward projection or extremity 6 of the shaft 4 of seated in a hub 9 surrounding the shaft 4, so that the shaft and the hub 9 are firmly connected together.

The taper extremity 6 of the shaft 4 has a terminal screw stem` 10 to which there is applied a tubular nut .11, provided Withan intermediate circumferential flange 12. Applied to the exterior of the nut 11 is a jam nut 13 entering a screw socket-..14 in the outer end of the hub 9, -this forming a close fit of the hub on the extension or spindle y6 of the shaft 4. Near the outer end the sleeve 11 is traversed by matching holes 15, permitting the introduction of arod or bar to effectively screw Athe sleeve 11 into place, where the sleeve may be lockedl by the application of a suitable tool to tglielock nut 13.

On diametrically opposite sides of the hub 9, or in greater number if the propeller -is furnished with more than two blades, are sockets 16, each interiorly screw-threaded, as indicated at 17 in Figs. 4 and 7. Screwed into each socket 17 is a stepped sleeve 18 (Fig. 18), having at oneA end an exteriorly screw-threaded section 19 onto which` the threaded end 17 of the socket 16 fits, the

shown in Figview of the thrust `outer end of the socket abutting against a circumferential shoulder 20, appearing in Figs. 4, 7 and 18, thus firml uniting the sleeve 18 with the socket 17, the sleeve constitutin a continuation or prolongation of The sleeve 18 tapers from one end toward the other by steps, and the smaller end of the sleeve is formed with la circular series of taper pockets 21, each for the reception of a taper roller 22.

The circular series of rollers 22 `bears upon I ta r thrust ring 23 appearing separately a in ig. and also in Figs. 4 and7.

At the other or largenend of the sleeve 18 is a circular series of stress rollers 24 and beyond the latter, and,

the engine, and partiallyl rected annular vflange blades 32, which of the wedge .is one -of the shown in Figs. 4, 16 and 18,-an'd having seats in a cage-like edge 25 of vthe sleeve 18. This provides two circular series of rollers at respectively opposite ends'of the sleeve 18, one sei-ies being of less diameter than the other series because of the taper form of the sleeve, the larger series of rollers serving as stress rollers -to counteract lateral stresses, and the smaller series of rollers constituting end thrust rollers. Adapted to enter the sleeve 18 is a ferrule 26, shown separately in Fig. 15 and alsov shown in as sociation with other parts in Fig. 4.

The ferrule 26, there being one for each propeller blade, \is of `stepped formation, generally taperingfrom one end toward the other, and provided .interiorly with a series of longitudinally spaced, inwardly directed fiaiiges c 27 constituting shoulders, each longer flange overliangiiig thenext flange in order toward the smaller end of the blade to forni circumferential pockets. The smaller end of the ferrule is exteriorly threaded, as indicated at 28, to receive an interiorl threaded collar 29, with an outwardly di- 30, constituting a seat for the wear ring 23 a inst which the thrust rollers 22 bear. rlhe ferrule l26 between each flange 27, and the baseJi of the taper tportion next in oi'der toward the small., provided with a filler end o the ferrule, is 31 which may be made up of lnumerous small strips of Wood fitted tightly in place. The fillers are litted and held from movement in said circumferential pockets. The fillers 3l constitute a gluing surface for propeller latter, according to the cilstomary practice, are of laminated construction and made of wood, with the strips glued together and to the wooden fillers, the blades being forced into the ferrules under appropiiate pressure, say, about thirty tons.

Inorder to impart suitable anchoring expansion to the ends of the yblades provided with the ferrules 26, each blade is formed with an axial taperzbore into which is'driven a taper wedge 34, provided with a vent channel yThe object ofthe wedge i'sto expand the Wood of the blade and compress and hold it in perfect 'contact with the wooden filler or inlay vwhile the glue is setting. The provision of the central bore forfthereception novel features of The wedge is nearlyv as long and. providesfor the oomthis invention. as the ferrule,

made of sufficient length and appropriate l square type. Mounted on the skeleton screw sleevev 36 is' an internally threaded collar 38 which, like the sleeve 36, has square threads. The sleeve 36 has diametrcally secured by brackets 40,'or in any other appropriate manner, to a fixed part -of the `engine frame, such as shown in 41 in Figs. 3 and 4 and also appearing in other figures, whereby the sleeve 36 is held against rotation. Y

The collar 38 :has one ed 42 out-turned, and carried by and made ast to thecollar 38 is a ring 43 with an out-turned edge 44 matching and opposite to the edge 42, thereby defnm a taper channel between them. The two e ges 42 and 44 on their facing portionsare provided with wear plates 46, leaving a taper space between them. Seated in the channel 45 is a roller thrust cage 46 shown vseparately in Fig. 14, and comprising inner and outer rings 47 and 48 respectively, with spaced connecting bars 49 between which are lodged rollers 50 in a circular series 'and held in place by pins 51 traversing the rings 47 and 48. The ring 48 is sufficientl wlde to serve as a cover for the channel7 45 (Fig. 4). At 'suitable intervals, say at diametrlcallyxopposite oints in the two blade ropellers, are radial y outwardly extended rackets 52, each having a bar 53 riveted or otherwise securel fast thereto. The bars 53 are channeled to t between the adjacent guides 54 on the sockets 16 carried lby the hub 9. The guides 54 are tangentially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of the propeller (Figs. 3, 8, 9

and 10). i

Fast to each collar 29 within the respective socket 16 is an ear or bracket 55 projecting through a circumferential slot 56 in the peripheral portion ofthe respective socket 16. There are two ears 55 and slots 56 on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the propeller blades (Figs. 3 and 7), and to each ear there is pivoted alink 57, hav,- ing itsdother end entering a'slot 58 between two ears 59 and formed on one end of the elongated bracket bar 53, provided at lthe extension 61 for attachment of the brac et bar-53 to the corresponding bracket 52. Constituting a radial continuation of the out-turned edge 44 of the ring 43 is a sprocket wheel 62 engaged vb a sprocket chain 63, continued to a sproc et pinion 64 in line with the sprocket wheel 62 and fast on one end of -a shaft 65. The shaft 65 is mounted in a iiournal bearing 66, which may be convenient y supported on the radiator 3, and this shaft where passingthrough the journal bearing has screw-threads 67 formed thereon for an appropriate distance (Fig.

lightness may be hollow,

opposite wings 39fast thereto and in turn lodged in end remote from the ears' 59 with an a Vle 3). The shaft65, which, for the sake of is continued along the body 1 to a position convenient of access toA an operator (Figs. 1 and 2). The shaft 65 is mounted near the rear end of a journal bracket 68"'through which the shaft may slide, and fast to the shaft is a bevel pinion 69 carrying a in 70 extending through an elongated slot l in the shaft so that the latter may slide lengthwise with reference t0 the pinion 69. Meshing with the pinion 69 is another beveledA gear wheel or pinion 72 mounted in a suitable bearing 73, carried by an appro riate part of the body 1, and v provided wit a crank 74 permitting an operator to readily manipulate the pinions 72 and 69, thus rotating the shaft 65. This causes the sprocket chain 63 to rotate the sprocket wheel 62 and thereby rotate the threaded collar 38 to cause it to`travel alon the threaded sleeve 36, and thus act throng the brackets 53 and links 57 upon the propeller blades to rock them, in one direction or the other and, thereby, correspondingly varying their pitch. It is understood, of course, that the blades are rocked simultaneously in opposite directions so that the pitch only of the blades is varied. The structure issuch that the changing of pitch of the blades does not effectthe rotation of the propeller as a whole, but the change of pitch varies the action ofthe -propeller upon stepped taper sleeve in each socket with the large end of the sleeve outermost, a propeller blade for each socket, and a stepped ferrule for each pro eller'hlade adapted to enter a stepped soc et.

2. A propeller for airplanes, comprising a hub with outwardly extending sockets, and

a taper sleeve located ineach socket withv the large end of the sleeve outermost, propeller blades each \with a taper butt-end a taper sleeve, and a ferrule for each propeller blade adapted to enter a corresponding socket. I

3. A propeller blade for airplanes, comprising a hub for receiving the airplane drive shaft, said hub being providedvwith sockets, a stepped taper sleeve in each socket with the large end of the sleeve outermost, a propeller blade for each socket, and a stepped ferrule for each propeller blade adapted to enter a stepped socket, the stepped end with a circular series of anti-friction stress bearings and at the smaller end with a. circular series of antifriction thrust bear- 1n A propeller for airplanes, comprisinga hub for receiving the airplane drive shaft,

said hub being provided with sockets, a taper.. sleeve for each socket with the large end of sleeve being provided at its larger the sleeve outermost, a propeller blade for blade adapted to enter a corresponding Sockeach socket, and a ferrule for each ,propeller et, and means for mounting stress bearlngs at blade adapted to enter a corresponding sockthe outer end of the sleeve and thrust bear-` 4 et, each sleeve having at its larger end stress ings at the inner end thereof. 5 bearings and at the smaller end thrust bear- 10. A propeller for airplanes comprising ings. a hub for receiving the airplane drive shaft, 5. A propeller for airplanes, comprising a propeller blades for the hub, a ferrule for hub for receiving the airplane drive shaft, each blade and carrying the latter, a sleeve propeller blades for the hub, a stepped fer.- for each ferrule, a circular. series of antirule for each blade and carrying the latter, friction devicesl between each end of the a stepped sleeve for each ferrule, a circular Sleeve and the fel-rule, with one series of 75 series of anti-friction devices between each anti-friction devices resistant to side thrusts end of the sleeve and the ferrule, with one and the other series of anti-friction devices series of anti-friction devices resistant to resistant to end thrusts, and means for holdside thrusts and the other series of anti-fricing the blade onto the hub and permittin tion devices resistant to end thrusts between turning of the blade about its longitudina 80 the sleeve and ferrule, and means for holdaxis. .y 1

ing the blade onto the hub and permitting 11. A propeller for airplanes, comprising turning of the-blade vabout its longitudinal a blade and a taper .ferrule for the butt end axis. ofthe blade, vsaid ferrule being stepped 6. A ,propeller for airplanes comprising lengthwise thereof with fillers in the steps 85 a hub with outwardliy extending sockets, a and the butt-end of the blade being stepped sleeve fitting partial y within each socket similarly to the ferrule for seating in the and secured thereto and extending therefrom ferrule.

forming a continuation thereof, propeller 12. A propeller for air lanes, comprisin blades each having its butt end lodged a blade and a taper ferru e'for the butt-en 90 within the sleeve and socket, a ferrule for of the blades, said ferrule being stepped each propeller blade adapted to enter a corlen thwise thereof with fillers in the steps, responding socket and extend beyond the inan the butt-end of the blades being stepped ner end of thesleeve, and an anti-friction similarly to the vferrule for seating in the bearing resistant to end thrusts provided at ferrule, the meeting surfaces of the fillers 95 the inner end of the ferrule. ,Y and the blade'bein of a fibrous nature to 7. A propeller for airplanes comprising a provide gluing sur aces.

hub with outwardly extending sockets, a 13. A propeller for air lanes, comprising sleeve fitting partially within each socket a blade and a taper ferru e for the butt-end and secured thereto and extending thereof the blade, the ferrule being stepped lo. from forming a continuation thereof, rolengthwise thereof with iillers `in the steps peller blades each having its butt end lo ged and the lbutt-end of the blade being Steppe within the sleeve and socket, a ferrule for similarly to the ferrule for seating therein,

. 40 each propeller blade adapted to enter the said ferrule having inturned flan s at the corresponding socket and extend beyond the larger end of the steps, said fillers ing conlo. inner end of the sleeve, said ferrule being fined between the ilanges and the basic porthreaded atits inner end, a collar threadtion of each ste 'i ed on said inner end of ,the ferrule, and 14. A propellar for airplanes comprising lan anti-friction bearing resistant to end a'blade with a step d taper butt-end, and

thrusts interposed between the innerend of a ferrule inclosing thi; taper butt-end of the u.

said sleeve and said collar.` blade, with the ferrule provided with a 8. A propeller for airplanes comprising a series of longitudinal spaced inwardly dihub for receiving the airplane drive shaft, rected flanges, each larger flange overhan 50 said hub being provided with sockets, a ing the next flange in order toward the smsl sleeve for each socket, said sleeve fitting parend of the blade to form circumferential l" tially within each socket and secured thereto pockets, and fibrous fillers lodgedrin the and extending therefrom and forming a conpockets toconstitute luingsurfaces for the tinuation thereof, a propeller blade for each taper butt-end of the lade.

socket, and a ferrule for each propeller blade 15. A propeller Vfor vairplanes comprising adaptedtoenter acorresponding socket, each a blade and a ferrule for the buttend of l sleeve having at its outer endvoutside the the blade, said ferrule being provided with `socket' stress bearings andat its inner end a series of vlongitudinally spaced circumf within the socket thrust bearings'. ferential pockets,land fillers fitted in the o 9. A propeller for airplanes comprising. a pockets andprovidingl gluing surfacesv for hub for they air lane drive shaft, thebutt ends of the blades. l said hub being provid with sockets, a 16. A propeller for airplanes comprising sleeve'for eachsocket, a propeller blade for 'a blade and aferrule for thebutt endof the each socket, and a ferrule for each propeller blade,l said ferrule being provided with a A said pocket, said iller circumferential pocket, and a filler itted'in constituting a gluing surface for the butt end of the blade.

l 17. A propeller for airplanes comprising a bladeand a ferrule for the butt end of the blade, and means provided on the inner side of the ferrule for holding a filler ,against ylongitudinal movement relative to the ferrule and in contact with the adjacent face of the blade, said filler constituting a gluing surface for the blade. u

18. A propeller for airplanes comprising a `blade and a ferrule for the butt end of the blade, said ferrule being provided on its in- 'terior with a pocket or seat, and a wooden filler fitted in said pocket or seat and bearing against the adjacent face of the blade, said filler constituting a gluing surface for said blade.

19. A propeller for airplanes comprising a blade and a ferrule for the butt end of the blade, said ferrule being provided on its interior with a circumferential seat or pocket, a filler fitted in said seat or pocket and bearin against the outer surface of the blade, said blade being formed with a central bore, and a wedge fitted in said central bore and acting to expand the wood of the blade and hold it in contact with said filler.

20. A propeller for airplanes comprising a blade, a ferrule kfor the butt end of the blade, and a wood filler interposed between the blade and the ferrule and extending circumferentially around the blade, said filler constituting a gluing surface for the butt end of the blade, said blade having a central bore extending inwardly from its butt end, and a wedge entering the bore from the butt end to expand the wood of the blade and hold it in contact with the ller. 21. A propeller for airplanes comprising a blade, a ferrule for the butt end of the propellerfor airplanes having a vblade provided with a central bore extending inwardly from its butt end and closed at its inner end, and a wedge inserted in said bore from the butt end. v

23. A propeller for airplanes, comprisin a blade with a step d taper butt-end, an a ferrule inclosing e taper butt-end .of the blade, with the ferrule provided with a series of longitudinally spaced, inwardly directed flanges, each larger flange overhanging the next smaller ilapge in order toward the small end of the b e to form circumferential pockets, and fibrous fillers lodged in the pockets to constitute surfaces for thetaper butt-end of t e b ade,said buttfend o the blade having an axial entering passage and provided with a wedge blade, said blade having a central bore ex-A sleeve surrounding the having a vent opening at the entering end of the assage.

24. propeller for airplanes, provided with a hub having radial sockets each terminating in an internally threaded extremity, a steppedtaper sleeve having external screw-threads engaging the internal screwthreads of the socket, with the sleeve abutting against the outer end of the socket, a blade with a taper stepped ferrule at'l its inner end entering the sleeve, said ferrule being externally threaded at its small end, and a threaded collar for holding the ferrule -to the sleeve.

25. A propeller Afor airplanes ptrovided with a hub having radial sockets, each terminatin in an internally threaded extremity, a s eeve having external screw-threads en aging theinternal screw threads of the soc et, a blade with a yferrule at its inner end enterin the sleeve, said ferrule being externally t eaded at its inner end, and a threaded collar for holding the ferrule to the sleeve.

26. A propeller for airplanes, provided with a l'iub having radial sockets, each terminating in an internally threaded extremity, a stepped taper sleeve having external screw-threads engaging the internal screwthreads of the socket with the sleeve abutting against the outer end of the socket, a blade with a taper step d ferrule at its inner end enterin the s eeve, said being externally t readed at its small end, and a threade collar for holding the 'ferrule to the sleeve, the ferrule having means thereon whereby the blade may be rocked yabout the longitudinal axis of the blade, and

means under the .control of an for eiecting such a rocking.

27. Inan airplane, a propeller having blades capable of bei rocked -about axes lon tiidinal of and individual to the blades, a s 4aft carrying the propeller, a threaded shaft, a collar threaded .onto the sleeve, connediions between the collar and the blades andconnected to the latter tangentially, and means accesible to an o rator for rotating the collar about the t readed sleeve, whereby to -move the collar with the operator rocking movements of the blade.

28.A In an ai lane, propeller blades mounted to rock a ut an axis subdantially perpendicular to the axis of the propeller as a whole,a.screw sleeve mounted in the axis of rotation 'of the propeller and fixed against rotation, a screw collar carried by the sleeve, connections between the screw collar and the blades ntial to the individual axes of rotation tereof, a s rocket wheel carried by the screw tatiri( the latter, a drive et wheel collar or roshaft for the sp and Vprovided with sprocket ferrulev -connections klengthwise of the sleeve to cause iwI chain connections to the sprocket wheel, said shaft having both rotative and longitudinal movements, and means accessible to anl operator for rotating the Shaft to drive ythe sprocket wheel.

propeller blades n an airplane, mounted to rock about an axls substantially of the propeller perpendicular to the axis as a whole, a screw sleeve mounted in the axis of rotation of the propeller and fixed against rotation, a screw collar carried by the sleeve, Aconnections between the screw collar and the blades tangential to the individual axes of rotation thereof, a sprocket wheel carried by the screw .collar for rotation and provided with sprocket chain connections to the sprocket Wheel, said shaft having both rotative and longitudinal movements, and meansfaccessible to an operator for rotating the shaft to drive the sprocket Wheel, the screw sleeve and connections to the blades having interposed anti-friction connections.

In testimony, that I claim the as my own, I have hereto aiixed ture.

my signa- CLARENCE LYMAN PARKER.

foregoing Y 

